Arab Financial Markets Await Developments After Regional Escalation

Arab financial markets have been experiencing significant ups and downs due to geopolitical tensions and economic factors.  (Reuters)
Arab financial markets have been experiencing significant ups and downs due to geopolitical tensions and economic factors. (Reuters)
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Arab Financial Markets Await Developments After Regional Escalation

Arab financial markets have been experiencing significant ups and downs due to geopolitical tensions and economic factors.  (Reuters)
Arab financial markets have been experiencing significant ups and downs due to geopolitical tensions and economic factors. (Reuters)

Arab financial markets have been experiencing significant ups and downs due to geopolitical tensions and economic factors.

Investors are closely watching developments following the Israeli-Iranian escalation to gauge its impact on investments.

Mohammed Al-Farraj from “Arbah Capital” believes these fluctuations will continue for a while as investors assess how military tensions between Iran and Israel affect the global economy.

“These fluctuations are expected to persist in the coming days. Investors are carefully evaluating the impact of geopolitical factors, such as ongoing military tensions between Iran and Israel, on the global economy,” Al-Farraj told Asharq Al-Awsat.

However, he thinks the instability is temporary and markets will stabilize in the long run.

“With continued rise in interest rates and inflation, the likelihood of temporary market corrections increases, possibly leading to declines in stock prices,” said Al-Farraj.

Moreover, he sees opportunities for investors to buy stocks at lower prices during these fluctuations and benefit from long-term growth.

“These corrections present excellent investment opportunities for investors with long-term vision, allowing them to buy stocks at discounted prices and benefit from their long-term growth,” explained Al-Farraj.

Despite worries, certain sectors like energy, healthcare, technology, education, mining, insurance, and banking offer promising investment prospects.

After the Eid holiday, Arab markets reopened with fluctuations. Most closed lower, except for Muscat and Amman.

In Saudi Arabia, the main stock index, TASI, concluded its first session after the Eid holiday down by 38.52 points, or 0.30%, at 12666.90 points, with a liquidity of 6 billion riyals ($1.6 billion), influenced by declines in the banking and basic materials sectors.

Kuwait and Qatar also saw declines, while Jordan’s market closed higher. Muscat’s market ended slightly up.

Overall, market movements reflected the uncertainties surrounding the regional tensions.



Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024

Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024
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Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024

Saudi Mining Licenses Reach 2,401 by End of 2024

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Sunday that the number of valid mining licenses in the Kingdom has reached 2,401 by the end of 2024.

The licenses cover various categories, including mining, exploration, reconnaissance, building materials quarries, and small mine operations.

According to the 2024 Mining Sector Indicators Bulletin, issued by the National Industrial and Mining Information Center, the majority of these licenses were granted for building materials quarries (1,481), followed by exploration (642), mining and small mining exploitation (215), reconnaissance (41), and surplus mineral ore extraction (22).

The bulletin serves as a critical tool for monitoring developments in the mining sector, tracking both existing and newly issued licenses across various regions of the Kingdom. By boosting transparency and providing accurate data, the initiative supports investors and decision-makers in making informed choices that contribute to the sector’s growth and sustainability.